2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander has a complaint index of 74, ranking 6th worst out of 20 model years, with a Caution verdict. Owners reported 57 complaints, led by Electrical System and Engine issues (14 each), plus six recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 74/100
- #6 of 20 Outlander years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 57
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 24.5 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System14 (25%)
- Engine14 (25%)
- Structure & Body11 (19%)
- Airbags10 (18%)
- Other9 (16%)
- Brakes6 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (4%)
- Fuel System2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy or only partially deployed during front-end and head-on collisions.
- Vehicle reportedly delayed in responding to braking before striking a tree at low speed, tied to a forward collision avoidance recall.
- Driver's seat rocked back and forth under acceleration and braking shortly after purchase.
- Second-row center seat belt buckle tightened excessively and pressed uncomfortably on the passenger's chest.
- Vehicle shook violently at highway speed when driven on snow or ice.
- Headlights burned out repeatedly, failing multiple times within about a year.
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V252000Apr 20, 2026Structure & Body108,046 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.
Risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.
- NHTSA 25V507000Aug 7, 2025Structure & Body121,529 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles sold and/or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.
Risk: A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-25-002
- NHTSA 20V403000Jul 13, 2020Seat Belts177,000 vehicles
Seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. The second-row center seat belt buckle may interfere with the right-side seat belt buckle when the seat backs are folded down. The interference may cause the right-side seat belt buckle cover to come off, making the buckle latch inoperable and unable to restrain an occupant.
Risk: An unrestrained occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second-row center seat belt buckle cover, install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base, and provide a new warning label insert for the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-20-004.
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 25.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,550
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Outlander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 74 for the 2018 Outlander, ranking it 6th worst among 20 model years, so it carries a Caution verdict compared with other Outlander years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Outlander?
- Electrical System and Engine complaints each account for 25% of reports, followed by Structure & Body at 19% and Airbags at 18%.
- Does the 2018 Outlander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for the 2018 Outlander, covering areas including Structure & Body, Seat Belts, and Collision Avoidance & Cameras systems.
- How does the 2018 Outlander compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 74 is worse than years like 2012 (index 5, Best) and 2015 (index 26, Good), but better than 2016 (95) and 2022 (100), both rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Outlander?
- EPA rates the 2018 Outlander at 25.5 mpg combined (24.5 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,550.